Educational Excellence

Happy Friday, Y’all!

We each can find something to be grateful for so join me in a TGIF if you’d be so kind!!  Done!

How are you guys holding up nowadays?!  Is there a new group forming in the States called “American Politicians for Putin”?  The former president is enjoying this presumptive bloodbath and says “I know him very very well, and he’s very smart!”  Can you imagine this?!  Now there are GOP (Republican) members in Congress also criticizing Biden at any and on all points including praising Putin!!  America is about to implode and the authoritarian vultures worldwide are looking for their next bite of the Planet … or what’s left of it!!  Pay close attention if you haven’t already seen it but “the Russian bots” are out … on Facebook spreading fear!!  What a world we live in.  It’s a world in which it is extremely important to “know thyself” … the good and the bad.

At this time in American History, we see several cases involving murders of still more African Americans by vigilantes or law enforcement officials.  I am extremely happy that the three characters who lynched Ahmaud Arbery in broad daylight finally got their rightful punishments – life in prison.  Imagine that at the onset of the flow of information through the police department and the prosecutor’s office, these three bad guys were NOT even going to be charged!  This is from the playbook of “The Old South” in which Ku Klux Klan members are also officers, chiefs, and prosecutors simultaneously.  So, folks of color never had a chance.  These mofos tried again … in broad daylight … and even filmed it themselves … to lynch a human because of his color!!!  A heartfelt sigh of relief must be flowing through Ahmaud’s mother and father.  Ben Crump said referring to the former prosecutor Jackie Johnson, “We’re coming after you next!”  Notice the perseverance and patience REQUIRED of African Americans to get the wheels of justice to churn not to mention in “their” favor.  

Vladimir Putin has taken advantage of how “Americans” are so fragmented – racially, religiously, politically, in regards to the virus, in regards to climate change – that we now have “Americans” cheering for an authoritarian, totalitarian, monstrosity of a dictator.  And imagine after seeing #45 cozy up to Putin like his new whore, so many fools want to blame Biden!!  Prayers for those who stand on the doorstep of death so one creature can have his way …  Peace be still …  I know over half of amerika is not “woke” yet, so I wish you luck sleeping through this nightmare,  Blessings

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

ps. Thanks for reading!

Happy Friday, All!

If you’re up for it, let’s share a moment with a kind thought … about anybody or anything … just make sure it’s kind!  I know it takes practice and discipline, so TGIF!

This month continues highlighting the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans.  Indeed, as a people and community, African Americans have internal issues caused by the use of the “evil institution” of slavery to build the then-new nation’s economy.  While I see perhaps a resurgence of ignorance based on fabricated fears proposed by “non-leaders” or avaricious puppets of greed, I am honored to have known two fine men in my life who passed away this month.  I mentioned my Coach and Athletic director from St. Paul’s School in a recent message.  He was an advocate for “rising above” … that’s what leaders do!  The other gentleman that I wanted to mention who also recently passed away was Manson A. Donaghey, former Principal at White Plains High School where I held my first full-time job teaching social studies for 10 years!  My mother was also a good friend and activist in White Plains who knew and worked with Mr. Donaghey.  She only had positive things to say about this man.  A special thanks to Mr. Tom Painchaud, a classmate from SPS who sent a copy of the obituary …  Peace be still …

Have humans lost the capacity to do or at least say kind things to and about each other and our world in our daily lives?!  It’s like no matter what is being contemplated, considered, or even discussed, many humans don’t seek a solution, but instead, seek a diametrically opposed view to any “give and take” nor attempt to understand the “other side” to arrive at a solution!  What generates that state of mind?  Like Ahmaud Arbery’s father, Marcus Arbery said after listening to comments made by the three accomplices about African Americans and how there were none in his community …  “It’s a sickness to hate someone … and they haven’t even done anything to you!”  There are people who don’t see the mental illness in this type of behavior.  Of course, it’s easy to say, “Why don’t they stop complaining!”?? If your life was and is never threatened because of the color of your skin, you have NO idea of the pressure, ignorance, and downright stupidity that people of color who have successfully dealt with this illness MUST experience!

Just a few days ago in a Bridgewater, NJ mall, two teenagers were having a verbal disagreement until the bigger kid who was a light complexion Hispanic got his flailing hand pushed away from the face of the African American kid.  The bigger white-looking but Hispanic kid (watch the video!) was the aggressor and was controlling the fight until two police officers grabbed the Hispanic kid off of the African American teen to sit him down on the couch.  Then the 8th grade 15-year-old African American was thrown to the floor in the mall, the female officer put her knee on his back, and the male officer (both white) handcuffed the African American teenager while the taller teenager stood over them watching!  You see, this is a situation where the “residue of racism” was imposed upon the African American teenager by the white police officer.  Even the youth filming the viral video commented, ” … it’s because he’s black … racial motive …”.  Some so-called adults can’t even recognize what those teenagers clearly notice!

Obviously, we need more adults to recognize this attitude re-permeating the fabric of American society.  We can see this with former officer Kim Potter who “thought” she had her taser when she killed the young African American male Daunte Wright (RIP).  I am willing to hypothesize that her brain was wired one way while her mouth was making a conflicting statement!!  The Residue of Racist Thinking eventually comes out in one’s behavior … As the officers who aided in the murder of George Floyd get grilled in a civil suit, a juror is asking for “counseling” after hearing the repeated racist, hurtful, and hate-filled statements attributed to the murderous trio that clearly identify that this was a premeditated lynching, murder, and HATE CRIME … of Ahmaud Arbery!!!

In conclusion, it’s really hard to say anymore.  I just hope that the youth of ALL races can recognize the racial storm continually building up in … amerika …  

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

Happy Friday, All!

We here at EE continue honoring descendants and heroes of the African-American slave trade and their contributions … to the world!  So, TGIF with me if you will!  Thank you, kindly!

Our lives indeed are “ours” as the cry for freedom rings out all over the place, including some truckers in Canada.  As we all too often learn … sometimes too late … that we’re all connected on this Planet.  What one does, has an effect on others, often many others!  A long-time friend and former Coach at St. Paul’s School, Concord NH, passed away a few days ago.  He was one such person, though I was under his athletic tutelage for 3 years, who touched my life in ways that have had a lasting effect.  I reiterate that his life of nearly 100 years was a great gift for many of us, including “the brothers from The Red Tails aka Tuskeegee Airmen”, whom he actually fought with in World War II.  One afternoon, in Cocoa Beach, FL, he and Mrs. B. met me for lunch and he gifted me a booklet entitled: “Rising Above” (Lessons Learned from the Legendary TUSKEGEE AIRMEN).  I still have it … signed by him … Peace be still …

We could look at our lives as a “gift” for ourselves and perhaps someone else, rather than as something we actually earned whose “freedoms” we must fight for at every turn.  But here is where it gets tricky.  How far do we take these freedoms?  Now, it should be clear to any human being that no one has the right to “own” another human being, already equipped with a mind, body, and soul!  I can honestly say that at this time in my life, I feel “the present”.  I know it sounds cliche but I am learning to live in every moment and appreciate the gifts along my journey.  These gifts seem to be all “karma” related as I always try to put my best foot forward when I am clearly cognizant of the repercussions of my actions.  Do we need so much freedom that we grind the human civilization to a halt because we want more “fabricated freedom”, to just say “no” … because we can?!?  Read up on what former African American slavery was like … just to wet your whistle.

On the personal side, I have started a regular workout routine for 2 months now.  I’m consuming more fruits and vegetables …  I take time when I wake up in the mornings now that I don’t have any place to run to at 9 or 10 am.  I can roll over, sit up, lay back down, stretch out for REAL … taking all the time I want.  I still always wake up early for a Curcuma/ginger tea or fresh smoothie (batido as they are called here).  If it’s Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, I get to the gym facility across town by nine.  If it’s Tuesday or Thursday, I make it a point to get to this enormous surf beach in Cocles in the morning, place my beach chair in the shade, and meditate on the natural sounds … or my smooth jazz music.  Now that I have transportation on my City Coco Electric bike, I no longer carry my cane as it can be a bit cumbersome during errands.  A lot of progress is being slowly made … with no surgery necessary …  So, I am good!  I am at peace with the universe in general.

As we go through our lives each day, make an effort NOT to be obstinate … just because you can!  (Keep in mind this Black History Month, everyone cannot be obstinate … just because!  #TrayvonMartin #ErikGarner … and the list has continued of unarmed African Americans being killed … no effin’ freedom … in the streets of the land of the free, home of the brave …)  While attempting to get rid of the hideous electoral college in the States, maybe we can change the wording of that motto … or … choose to live up to it!

Have a great weekend and thank you for reading!

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

Happy Friday, one and all! I think that we need a TGIF right about now!  What a week in national and international affairs!! TGIF, first!  Done!!

I’m an African American male born in the State of New York, USA … circa 1954 during the height of the Civil Rights Movement.  I saw things like the assassination of former Pres. John F. Kennedy,  the Watts Riots in California …  the rise of the Black Panthers, Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, etcetera.  Now, I am one of those people that pays attention as to how people behave including myself.  One type of person that I prefer not to deal with is a liar!!  Now, I owe that to my Dad, “Big Ike”.  We had a family … why would one family member LIE to another one?!?  He didn’t tolerate that … and neither do I!!  That type of behavior is unbecoming of an adult … toxic behavior results … families fall apart while others are destroyed by selfish toxic individual family members …

So, it’s “Black History Month”, a month to highlight the contributions of African Americans to the world … and in particular, formerly enslaved Africans who helped to build America … for FREE!  After “The Reign of Ignorance and Hatred” personified by #45, America continues to fall from its “position” as a role model for democracy and a champion of human integrity …  There was once what was called “minority groups” in America that many other Americans wanted to see equally included and represented in the USA.  After #45 who successfully stoked racial and religious separation and hatred, we have arrived at a “u-turn” in human history …  Tensions have arisen once again between the nations that consider themselves “world powers” and the citizens of the USA are finding themselves fighting each other like “crabs in a barrel”!  From grace to disgrace!!  I am convinced that the FACT that the land called the United States of America was TAKEN from the Natives already here, their culture (Native Americans) was trashed in the name of “modernization and progress”, and an image of a nation was created on the backs of enslaved Africans … the inhabitants of this land owe a spiritual debt.  (The same weapons used to subjugate the native inhabitants are being used to destroy the current “nation”)

Now, as the nation attempts to celebrate “Black History Month”, we can see all types of lies being disseminated regarding, for example, nominating the first African American woman to sit on the Supreme Court of The United States of America.  The backlash and racism, hatred and envy of a person not even named yet are insidious!  African Americans who have managed to utilize the capitalistic democracy in order to survive and raise offspring KNOW that WE have to be twice as good … because of the color of our skin … in the United States …. and elsewhere.  So, now that I am twice as good, retired, and seeking peace … show some respect!!  If not, keep it moving!!  People who are subject to racist practices have the residue in their lives.  And as well, people who are victims of that residue, have to handle that hatred and rejection that they may have experienced.  In America today, thanks to #45 and his incessant pillage into American capitalism, the country appears to be courting “Civil War 2.0”!!  How intelligent … NOT.  Maybe we will have World War III first!!  All of that signals “the further decline of the human kind” … Peace be still!

If the whole world is destroyed, nobody “wins” as we have been conditioned to believe in the grimy game of capitalism – either you win or you lose.  So-called “civilized” humans have learned to value paper money and the power humans have given it more than the very air we need to breathe, the water that we need to drink … and the Planet that we live on!  People, how many times do we have to hear musicians sing “We Are One!” and “Come Together!” until we get it?!?  Respect Black History Month in the USA!  

Peace,

John I. Cook, Director

ps. Thank you for reading!